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Personal stories help people understand the importance of Death with Dignity legislation, and how it's being enacted.
Delaware
CURRENT STATUS: Pending Bills
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Death with Dignity laws have been proven effective at improving healthcare quality at the end of life, regardless of whether or not an individual chooses to hasten their death.
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Delaware
Timeline of Death with Dignity in Delaware
2024
2024
Bill Passes Senate, Sent to Governor For Approval
- A motion to reconsider is accepted, and the the vote passes 11Y-10N. The bill is sent to Governor Carney for approval.
- After a 9-9 vote, with 1 not voting and 1 absent, the bill is defeated in the Senate. Senator Townsend changes his vote from “yes” to “no” prompting a potential motion to reconsider on the Senate floor next week.
- HB 140 receives a 1 Favorable, 4 On Its Merits vote in the Senate Executive Committee, and the bill will be heard on the Senate floor.
- HB 140 receives a public hearing in the the Senate Executive Committee on June 12.
- For the first time ever, HB 140 passes the Delaware House with a 21-4 bipartisan vote in favor and crosses over to the Senate. The bill is assigned to the Senate Executive Committee.
2023
2023
Session Ends, Bill Carries Over to 2024 Legislative Session
- The session ends on June 30, and the bill crosses over to the next legislative session in 2024.
- In May, HB 140 passes out of Health and Human Development Committee and awaits a House floor vote.
- Delaware lawmakers reintroduce The Ron Silverio/Heather Block Delaware End of Life Options Law (HB 140), and is referred to the House Health & Human Development Committee.
2021
2021
Bill Moves to Committee Too Late
In the 2021/2022 session, The Ron Silverio/Heather Block Delaware End of Life Options Act (HB 140), is assigned to the House Health & Human Development Committee on the final day of the session, just before the Delaware General Assembly adjourns. The bill does not advance.
2020
2020
Positive Poll Results
A 2020 GBAO Strategies poll finds 72 percent of Delaware residents support aid-in- dying legislation.
2019
2019
Bill Pulled from Consideration
Delaware introduces HB140. The bill is heard in a house committee and later pulled from consideration by the sponsor.
2017
2017
House Voted Delayed and Bill Does not Advance
Representative Paul Baumbach (D) introduces HB160, End of Life Options Act. The bill goes to the full House after referral by the House Health and Human Development Committee. Rolled into 2018, a vote in the House is twice delayed. The bill does not advance.
2015
2015
Representative Paul Baumbach Step Up as Sponsor
Representative Paul Baumbach sponsors HB150. Neither bill moves forward.
